Folding joint for braces and the like



Dec. 16, 1930. H. J. GILBERT FOLDING JOINT FOR BRACES AND THE LIKE FiledSept. 20, 1928 INVENTOR .EHZNRYJ GILBERT A TTORNEY f1 UNITED S ES- ingbrace embodyinglmy claimed invention operation.

Patented Dec. 16,

HENRY J, GILBERT, or see mew," MIcHIGAE nSsI'GNoR 'rosneiniiwMANUFACTUR?me 00., or sAemAw, MICHIGAN I Y FOLDING Joins: non'nnnonsnn n'rnn mien1:

i A ucaebnfmea September "20,1192.

This invention relates to an improved collapsible brace for the legs offolding ironing, tables and the likejQfIt comprises a pair of linkspivotallyconnectedin overla 'oping relation and adapted for pivotalconnection at their outer ends to theparts to be braced. The objects ofthe invention are to provide an improved form ofcatch that can bemadeeasily and cheaply, yetwill be strong and durable as well as positive inits latching A further object is to provide a catch adapted tobe used inconjunction with a bar having anoverla-ppingend which is of the samecross sectional shape throughout its length and therefore does not haveto be pro-v vided with catch-engaging teeth ornotches in its end oredges. i Q

With the foregoing and certain other objects in view, which will appearlater in the specification, my invention comprises the de-- vicesdescribed and claimed and the equiva lents thereof. V j V v p In thedrawings Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are front" views of a brace embodying myimprovement in respectively. open, partly closed and latched positions.7 j

.vFigr l is .a perspectiverear view ofthe catch. Y 1

Fig. 5 is a side view of a brace applied to an ironing table. 7 t V Fig;6 is an edge view of the brace folded, 'As is clearly shown in thedrawings, afoldconsists in the usual bars'l and 2 pivotally joined as at3, the end 162 of one bar project-' ing beyond the pivot in overlappingrelation with the other bar 2 when in extended posi- 7 tion. The bar 1is formed with 'a lateral offset 1?) nearthe pivot?) and 'upon theotherbar a sleeve-like catch 4 is mounted soas to be slidable lengthwise. V pl H l i That end of the sleeve-likecatch 4 which. is nearest the pivot 3is formed with a'nloii'set front wall 5, so as'to defineapocket adaptedto receive and restrain the projecting end 1a of the bar 1 in itsextended-position. The

pocket has sidewalls 6, 7, whichprevent sidewise movement of the barsland 2 about their pivo-t 3 whenthe catch is in -locking position.

I th

tione longer side wall? to se overlapping end 1a.

alongtheedge -10 of the p extended positions;

eneeeseemirb M QH iterates in theother and the[extreme edgeflffia ofthis shorter wall adaptedto slidealong 1a side d le dlthence iec es ie le e el e jovejrlappiiigjp'ortion 1d of the first inenthe pro whenextended. v Anfabutment member orprojection 8 is providedon the secondbar2 so as to permit the latch' to slide back far enough to let theshorter wall 6 of the pocketpass freely along the edges 10, ldof theoverlying end portion 1a of bar 1-, yet keeping the longer sidewall-7 Vof the pocket positioned in the lateral path of travel of theoverlapping end 1a, as indicated [atfX in Fig; 2, thereby utilizing therim as 'a stop for the operationifthe braces are in the position shownin Fig, 1, straightening them causes the-edgeBa of the catch 4 to slideup thepocket const tutes a: stop for sldewise 'alinement and restrainingthe bars 1 and 2' rojection 1a of bar 7 I it 1 and thence along'its'topedge 10?. Thebar r I there brings up against wall 7 of catch 4 and thelatterthereupon drops i interlocks as shown in Fig.3; p

, Thus it is -seen that the edge of the shorter side wall automaticallyretracts and latchesthe catch when the braces are straightnto place andened,wh ilethecompanion wall 7 serves as a limit-stop to prevent theparts from moving pastthe straight line represented by their Having thusdescribed my invention, what entis: 7

1. In a folding brace including two pivotally joined bars one havingan'end of unibar, a .slidable catch on fined by an-offset front wall'fand two side walls of difiterentjlengths, the shorter being L 1 claimand desire to secure b Letters Pat 5,5 A I d bartl dnringtheentendingmovement therebyv positioning the sleeve 4; i

disposed so as to s1iding1ytreverse a. side edge and an end edge of theoverlapping end' f; 1 V 1,785,342 f portion of saidifirst mentioned vbar durlng the extending movement of the brace, the

longer wall of said pocket constituting a side,- Wise aline'rnent stopfor said bars," an abutment member located on the other barend H adaptedto keep the longer side Wall ofthe r 1 p i osi o 2ee ithin th ih ee rehe r travel ofsa-id overlapping end.

2. In a folding brace incllidi g the'saidendportiomthe lon'geriweill ofsaid catch constituting a sidewisle 'elinement stop for said bars.

V In testimony whereof, I aifix my signature. 25 1 two'pivot ally joinedbars one having jan en'd portion of LlIllfOIID'CIOSS sectionalslnapethroughont its'length in overlapping"relation"witli' the otherbar,a slidable catch. on the other bar,

having twoiside Walls ofdifi'erent lengths; i Y i- 7 theshorter adaptedto slide first-upon the 5 side edge and theniipgmthe end edge'ofthe f ve overlapping-rend portion offsaid first'men tioned bar during thesidewi se movement of f 5

